hellodolly

I've heard from two insiders in the Duke's organization that they will indeed be opening at Maya Mall. Yippee!! Now there's no contest -- what with Duke's, the Rim Ping grocery and the cinema, that mall is everything a mall should be. Plus, we can walk to the mall! Life is great. Isn't this what life isn't suppose to be about -- having everything easy to reach -- no need for a car and traffic jams?

Oh wait, what's that about no anchor store? Well, Central's going to be at Kad Suan Kaew for years to come. It's just heaven to live between the two malls. Somehow Central still manages to have a good selection of appliances, large and small.

All that a mall should be ??? Indeed!

When it comes to Dukes, his fare may be tasty, but is that why you are in Thailand? Or are you here to pick something familiar off the shelves of Rimping or Tops. Or to have malls to stroll around in?

All just like back home, so why are you here? Did you just try to pack where you were into your bags and find out the overweight was prohibitive and leave it to others to bring in the "best western breakfasts?"

A taste of this, a taste of that. Lovely. Every place would, I hope, have that, but some international gourmands seem to forget where they were and dwell too much on where they came from.

Food has nothing to do with why I am here. I like the people and the country. I like Dukes because I know that the meals are tasty (most of them) I don't like every thing and I wouldn't like it any where else either. I know it is prepared in a clean environment and the quality of the food is good. Not the cheapest stuff Dave can get. He told me and it is true that my taste buds might not know the difference but my body will. Not being in possession of sensitive taste buds it makes sense to me.

Riiiiiight, whatever you say.

Having more money does not make anyone better than anyone else, Taksin and associated cronies are proof positive of that ! I say what I want to who I want and I don't care how much money you have, or who your daddy is, or who your best mate is. I am not 'oblivious' of anything but I don't care if it is the Thai way or not, it is not my way.

Plenty to criticize about the caretaker puppet, yes. Absolutely nothing good to say. The 'Thai way' is to try and avoid the problem and hope it goes away to try and save face. What a load of baloney ! Never solves any problems, just makes more as we see happening here. Useless, incompetent woman. The other reason she shows 'restraint' is because she knows she will be branded a 'murderer' by her opponents as her administration has tried to do to them. We all know the politically motivated move to strong arm Abisit and Suteb into agreeing to the amnesty will be thrown out of court, but we all know they may also bring the same case against Yinglack. The less people die the less chance she has of being found guilty. Not that she would anyway, but the accusation will stay with her always as it will stick with them, would be better if they both sue the 'Shin clan' for defamation of character after it is thrown out.

I never met Yinglack personally so I can't comment on that and glad I never have as I prefer not to meet horrid people like that. I don't find the caretaker puppet likeable or empathetic in the least, she is a pathetic example of nepotism of the worst kind. Useless, no clue how to act in that role, tries her best to avoid responsibility, a disgrace to politics worldwide. And to address your last point, who the hell wants to live in that world ? I sure as heck don't, I like my world just the way it is...

I never claimed that having more money made anyone better than anyone else, but that is partly how the Thai social hierarchy works. Job title and relationship by bloodline to one of the key families also counts. You say you don't care if it is the Thai way or not, it is not your way. Well, it's not my way either, but that does not change the manner in which things are done in Thailand. You are judging the events from your western perspective and are applying using Western customs and values to interpret the events. It's a flawed interpretation. The reality is that unless you are a multinational CEO, or diplomat or senior military officer, you are lower on the social hierarchy than the pimply faced teenager in an expensive car, who's father just so happens to be related to one of the lesser (description not allowed under Thai visa rules) . That's how the hierarchy works.

I suppose had a more robust response been used, you would be calling the PM a blood thirsty savage. If you have not met the PM or seen her interact with people, how can you and others make such petty judgements as to the PM's personality or behaviour? What you base your decision on is what you see from the anti government media which is decidedly negative. Anyone who meets the PM comes away with a very different impression than what BlueSky or Nation Media provides. The continued personal attacks on the PM are petty. She's a decent, compassionate and caring person, and not the evil villain that the character assassins of Nation Media and TVF are making her out to be.

You like your world just the way it is. That's good. You live in your bubble. Unfortunately, outside of the bubble there are these creatures called Thais, living in Thailand, who behave differently than you and who have a different approach to conflict. Sooner or later, your world and the bigger world of Thailand are going to collide. Sort of like what is happening now, when westerners realize that in Thailand, the Thais play by their rules, not by what is done in farangland.

You say

The continued personal attacks on the PM are petty. She's a decent, compassionate and caring person, and not the evil villain that the character assassins of Nation Media and TVF are making her out to be.

Well she may or may not be all o9f those things in her personal life. If she was those things in her political life she would resign.

Other than that there is a lot of truth in what you say about the Thai social hierarchy.For the most part that does not concern me or my Thai family they are happy with the life they have. The problem generally arises when the rabble rouser's come along and point out the difference and tell the rabble that they should share in the money that the top of the hierarchy has. For the most part if left alone the Thai's were happy with their life. It is only the westerners coming in and bringing their materialism based society with them that has caused problems.

at this point wouldn't it be better to swap thaksin for chalerm and send his ass into exile instead? strip him of his citizenship too, he is a disgrace.

While chalerm is a dangerous loon, most of his lunacy comes to nothing. Thaksin on the other hand leaves a trail of misery and tears in his wake (amidst both his supporters and those who get in his way), he is by far the more destructive of the two.

Agreed that Thaksin is the more destructive of the two.

How ever Chalerm is destructive in his inability to do the job's that need doing. Look at the wonderful job he did handling the south. Now he has been given a job that is meaningless as the last thing the PTP want to do is make martyrs out of the protestors. Who is inept enough to try and fail miserably. Well hello Mr Chalerm we have been looking for a man with your qualifications.

Chalerm : " ...saying no one could stop him because the PM had given him the authority to make the decision. He also dismissed reports he would be sacked as CMPO director. "

Quote of the year : " No one could stop him ".

It sounds as if at least someone within the administration is getting wise to the fact that Chalerm is perhaps not such a brainy idea after all. He acts unilaterally, he shoots from the hip. He's immune from error because - well, he doesn't do errors, that's all. A deceased man on an enemies list ? Oh, he knew about that. Obviously, not being alive was not a compelling enough reason for Chalerm to excuse him from the list. You've got to do better than that. As Chalerm sees it, he's got a job to run sin out of Dodge. He's got better things to do than to get bogged down in details. But the details are really going to bite this administration, because there are clearly company executives on the list whose only " sin " was to have their products consumed by protesters. And if Chalerm thinks its a good idea to shame the very companies that are voluntarily investing in the fragile economy of this country, he had better think again. Whatever soul-searching occurs at the bottom of a whiskey bottle, now's the recommended time to do it.

Who else to create a scene backed by conspirators who have been planing this very situation for years. The man lives in a world of make believe perfect for the job. When he has enough ear medicine he gets these weird ideas. When he doesn't have enough ear medicine he creates models to convert into conspiracies after the proper amount of ear medicine.

Actually there are enough conspiracy thinkers around all to willing to believe in conspiracy that he feels encouraged to have a shot of ear medicine.

The rice-scheme together with the first-car subsidy were clearly strategic policies dreamed up by Thaksin, to cement his influence over a larger part of the population.

The fact that neither policy were designed to benefit the poor, suggests that he felt confident that his original supporters had been bought off successfully enough, to be able to ignore them for the time being. The rice-scheme in particular was designed to gain support in areas that previously were less solidly 'red', Central, Upper South and Lower Isaan. These are coincidentally the areas that have been most hit by the non-payment of rice pledges.

The first-car subsidy, not yet investigated but fully open to corruption and as equally damaging to the car industry as the rice-scheme to the rice industry, was aimed at people with a high enough income to afford the average 20,000 baht a month in payments. It simply gave a subsidy making the initial deposit easier to finance. I doubt very much that the poor in Thailand have had any benefit at all from either of these policies, yet the fact that the Shinawatras are still defended by their supporters, suggests that they think that the poor should be satisfied with the few crumbs they have been given, while the more wealthy have profited from the billions thrown at rice farmers and the comparatively wealthy.

The rice "scheme" as you put it, was a government approved price support system; a subsidy, so to speak, just like in the United States, where billions are spent each year for agricultural supports (including rice). The reason the payments are being delayed is because certain elements in the Thai power structure are stopping Thai banks from honoring previously agreed to payments. A Trojan Horse move to weaken voter support and bring down a duly elected government.

You do of course realize that the payments were due before the protest started.

Also that the government could have gotten the loans and then shut the government down.

All they accomplished by dissolving the house was to sucker people who are clueless in to believing they couldn't pay the rice farmers because some people don't like the corruption they have been involved with. In the mean time the ones who for one reason or another defend them. I always wonder when I see them what is there cut in the deal? For the life of me I can not see any other reason to defend them.

Well if they are Thai the lack of education could lead them to back them. Even then a lot of them got paid to vote for them and look forward to more money.

Sure. The rice scheme is now, but the energy and transport sectors are next. The diesel prices are set to rise by 30%+ next month. Let's see how the people react to that doozy.

Not sure but I think I saw a spot that said they are going to put that off.

They will eventually have to raise it.

Right now they are very busy looking under every government rock they can find to get the money to pay the rice farmers.

They are not going to look in the closets of the politicians. They do not want to open up that can of worms.

The baht weakened.

Everyone got what they wanted. Now eat the inflation.

Not against the Canadian dollar.

I don't think it weakened against the American one either. They just got stronger.

Don't know about other countries.

sounds to me the man is more than just "a great reference source."

Yes he is an honest man.

He admits when some surgeries are to much for him at his age.

Unlike many surgeons he will pass up the chance to make a baht.

He chuckled to me when he recommended the knee arthroscopic surgeon. He said I am you age.

7 years ago I had seen a surgeon in Ram who wanted to flop me on the table and fuse the foot right then. Having 7 years experience with it at that point and the advice of surgeons back in Canada I laughed at him.

I saw him three years ago when he had his clinic. He had already started cutting back on his operations. He referred me to another doctor for a arthroscopic surgery on my knee. He said he was to old for that delicate surgery. I recently saw him for another problem. I was using him as a second opinion. I greatly respect the man's knowledge and he is a great source of information.

I have a permanently broken foot. When I first saw him that was the major reason. He X rayed it looked at the X ray and advised me that as long as I could get along with painkillers ans sleep with them to let it be. He then proceeded to explain the difficulty involved in the operation and said he had only seen it done once in 40 years.

I had the surgeon in Canada and his replacement when he was on holiday both advise against the operation one said 15% of the time it didn't work but Doctor Sudhee explained why not to have it done. It was not just a simple fusing of the foot. He showed me on the X ray the problems involved. Liked the doctor back in Canada said even then there was a chance of it not working.

edit

Chiang Mai will be loosing a great reference source.

"Leaving aside strong feelings on both sides of the political divide, the government has lost the public's trust, and hence its legitimacy."

You amarts keep telling yourselves that...funny that meanwhile the government that has lost the trust of the public keeps winning every fair and democratic election.

Since when have I become an amarat?

If I am what do you you want me to do to change the country or are you happy with the money going down a rabbit hole? Are Thai Visa posters who don't agree with you an amarat?

At last I know who the amarats are. Thank you Thank you Thank you I have asked so many times and you are the only one to answer me.

Is your name Polymorphic Kanchanalak?

As for your question, try formulating a political position and convincing a majority of Thais that is the best course of action at an election. If they disagree with you...accept their choice instead if calling them "stupid buffaloes."

No Polymorphic Kanchanalak is not my name.

For the rest of your post what has it got to do with my post?

I called no one a stupid buffalo. It is not my fault if they feel that way.

Don't know if this has any thing to do with what you are talking about but are you saying that 52%

of the population are stupid buffalo's because they disagreed with the 48% of the population at the elections for who would set the political agenda?

You all should read Article 70, 71, and 72. They are very interesting.

"Section 70. Every person shall have a duty to uphold the nation, religions, the King and the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State under this Constitution.

Section 71. Every person shall have a duty to defend the country, to protect benefits of the nation and to obey the law.

Section 72. Every person shall have a duty to exercise his right to vote at an election." Full text here.

Seems to me that Section 71 indicates that if you don't protest against the corruption you are not doing your duty.

For Thai's of course we expats sit on the side and make a wide variety of comments.

Sorry I did not read the full text but does it say you are breaking the law if you do not vote. Or even if you take money for your vote it is OK.

My mind works different than a lawyers so I have difficulty in understanding their writing. Some times I even loose the intent of it they throw in so many words that are not necessary.

If I was to write it I would simply say you are breaking the law if you don't vote. Or it is not mandatory to vote.

Also Your vote will not count if it is found to have been paid for.

Reminds me of that old joke I heard in Canada.

What do you call 100 lawyers chained together at the bottom of the ocean.

Answer a good start.

Spelling

How many slaps in the face can the PTP idiots take? This is too funny!

Democrats got theirs yesterday already when the courts refused to anull the election.

I think the reds are getting more slaps than most recently!

True and it is driving a wedge in between them selves. they now have red shirts who want Thaksin out of politics. In other words let Yingluck carry her own golf bag.

That would be a sight to sell tickets to watch.

You win some and you lose some. They say justice is blind, who ever came up with those words most have lived in Thailand.

Seems the only winners every time regardless of outcome are the lawyers!

Yes and unfortunately the tax payers are paying the bills for the Governments.

geriatrickid

It is not red nonsense. I am dealing with allegations, which I have pointed out previously, are allegations. It is possible that the deceased may be linked to the funding of Suthep, one of Thailand's most powerful politicians. This is how the power is structured.

I don't think proud is the appropriate emotion I have for the PM, but I do respect her pluck and courage in the face of adversity. She certainly hasn't wilted. I would have done things differently, but then I'm not Thai, nor the PM of a country where so many powerful interest groups have been fomenting civil disorder and actively sabotaged a legally elected government. I find it a bit odd that so many foreigners who are on the lower end of the social hierarchy, embrace that hierarchy on the assumption that they hold some sort of special status.

As for getting in a "hole", I am gainfully employed, and can afford to maintain a respectable lifestyle, so no holes for me. I am not ashamed of being fair, nor of offering some reserved support for the legally elected government of Thailand. More importantly, I don't pay too much heed to the angry comments of those who are far below me in the Thai social hierarchy. In this case, when I refer to the social hierarchy, I am playing by the rules people like you support. As such, be quiet and know your place. Usually, I wouldn't write such a statement, nor leave out the word please, but I believe I must word it in a manner such that you will understand and accept, since it represents all that Suthep represents.

I do respect her pluck and courage in the face of adversity. She certainly hasn't wilted.

Sorry but I have to disagree with you. She is facing adversity from people demanding an honest government. She is the Parliamentarian elected leader not the peoples. She should be a leader and do some thing about these honest issues she is facing rather than denying them.

She is a disgrace and if she wasn't so good looking I doubt she would be in office now. She defiantly does not have the intelligence to rule a nation.

No disrespect to any one but I wonder how many people would have even voted for her if she had not been good looking. Also what if Thaksin's had been the leader of the party would they have got 48% of the vote. Or better still if they each had a party who would be the PM today. In other words. How many really voted for Yingluck?

The list has not been published yet. The fascists are getting very worried and trying to muddy the water by making up sham lists.

You guys really love that f word, don't you?

It really does get tiring. I doubt if most of the people know what went into being a fascist believer.

Get so tired of hearing that also high so so's and amarat. People should get some guts and name names. there is no law against it. Look how often Thaksin's name comes up and no law suits.

On another note.

Chalerm responded also to reports that the CMPO had erred by including the late Chaleo Yoovidhya, co-founder of energy-drink giant Red Bull, on the suspect list, saying he knew that Chaleo had died.

Chalerm denied reports that the Pheu Thai Party stopped him from revealing the names of protest financiers, saying no one could stop him because the PM had given him the authority to make the decision. He also dismissed reports he would be sacked as CMPO director.

Some thing about Chalerm knew he was dead and yet he was the one who was going to release the name of the protestors.

Then he goes on to deny that he is going to be sacked. I wasn't aware of that rumor.

But I have had some simalar rumors in my head when I was under the influence of ear medicine booze.

Sure. The rice scheme is now, but the energy and transport sectors are next. The diesel prices are set to rise by 30%+ next month. Let's see how the people react to that doozy.

Not sure but I think I saw a spot that said they are going to put that off.

They will eventually have to raise it.

Right now they are very busy looking under every government rock they can find to get the money to pay the rice farmers.

They are not going to look in the closets of the politicians. They do not want to open up that can of worms.

The government made a huge massive mistake indeed...On the other hand I didn't hear any complain of the farmers when they were offered a price that was far above the realistic market price. They didn't think about "tomorrow" when the rice could never be sold. Meanwhile surrounding countries sell the same rice-quality at 50% of the so called market price. Thai have to realise that hey are not the only country in the world...in a few months, when ASEAN becomes real, it will be clear.

High time to change.

Kinda like the tax rebate on cars to further crowd the nations roads. No complaints from new car sellers now they are wondering where the business has gone.

How about Thai law showing an example and hauling off the Thai hit and run cop killer with three arrest warrants noted by this newspaper? If law and order doesn't apply to everyone, how can Thais expect that reform will result in any change? This was a major killing of a police officer and hit and run. It was reported in this newspaper for days that the alleged killer was under the influenced and that his servants attempted to collude with a senior police office to obstruct justice and take the fall for the driver. How about some law and order as it applies to everyone?

Sorry you are making no sense to me.

If law and order doesn't apply to everyone, how can Thais expect that reform will result in any change

Doing nothing will retain the same situation where that happens.

Reform is about changing not maintaining.

Why be against reform because it would change the results of one Item. There are far to many of those things happening in Thailand to continue to allow them to happen.

Thailand needs reform and it is not going to get it with the current people in power. In two and a half years they have showed no interest in reform. The corruption has increased. Well I guess that is a reform of a kind are you advocating that they stick to that course.

Not that it matters but if that Red Bull heir steps foot in Thailand he will be arrested.

^^ 1/ it seems u don't know current situation in burma. 2/ it seems u don't know current situation in thailand either. 3/ u are SO overlooking what i write (typical on TV) where people don't read but only rant). conclusion: waste of time and energy. over & out.

Hospitals? ATM's outside of Rangoon? Banks where I can have my SS payment transferred? Cell phone data transmission and internet connection? Retirement Visa? Auto rental? ........

Dream on fella.

Read his posts.Those are western things he is trying to get away from the west.

Can't say as I blame him to a point. But I do find it a bit upsetting when I walk through as big western type mall and see it full of Thais.

Indeed it is a slow process but the western culture is forcing out the Thai culture.

Part of the allure to me in Thailand was the difference in the culture. More and more I am seeing it turn to the merchandize orientated Western culture. Not sure my Thai wife would want to move there any how and I do not want to lose her. She is the best thing to ever happen to me. Also I do enjoy a lot of the western movies and food. Also the electronics all though I am not very proficient with them. I do not have a phone with a camera and the ability to tell me all kinds of things. Well I can store phone numbers and it tells me the time. Also has a flashlight that I am not sure how to turn on and off.

LOL

I think the point about these locations being very dangerous places to be a teacher. has been made.

Assuming a good and experienced TEFL teacher can get 40-50,000 baht per month in a relatively safe location, how much would you demand as pay to work in these volatile provinces? And how much do you think will be offered?

TEFL certificate teachers can get 40-50k? You sure?

I think he meant TEFL teachers not teachers w/ only a TEFL cert.

Q--- Serious question: With over 160 teachers killed since 2004 in the deep south, what would it take for you to decide to work there?

Retardation

If you want me you would have to pay me 400,000 Baht per month and a life insurance policy of 50 Million Baht.

I would ask for the life insurance policy to be paid up front a year before I begin.

No, I am not. I don't know. I am only guessing. That is why I said "assuming".

It seemed a likely and reasonable salary in Thailand for a GOOD and EXPERIENCED ajarn. Perhaps someone in the business can give a more realistic number if that one is too far off the mark. I was just trying to get a feel for how much more than a typical wage people would want for working there...and also how much people expect the gov will offer.

Your post eludes to the idea that you know something about these numbers, so instead of only questioning my wrong assumption, why not chime in with something worthwhile. it would be appreciated.

I don't think my assumption was completely off the mark. You are saying a max of 35K in Bangkok, and I had a lower end number of 40K. They are not THAT far apart.

So, using your own numbers, what salary would have to be offered for you to take one of these jobs?

An English teaching job in Yala, Pattani or Narathiwat? I'd want 1 million baht a month. I want live, thank you.

That is if Mrs. Evil would let me go.

I don't teach English, btw.

Another thing, you seem to be very touchy about my posts. Why? Did you feel I was attacking you?

I was not. And IMO there is a big difference between 30-35k and 40-50k.

I believe the rate outside of Bangkok to be lower. Here in Chiang Mai I have heard 20,000 baht to 30,000 baht a month. I have known several teachers to return home because it was not enough for them. It was enough to live on but not a very flamboyant life style.

I think they are going to look very hard for foreigners. Thai's know better. The killers have not really been that choosey there has been many Muslims killed also. Those people are equal opportunity killers. My wife's daughter and son in law quit there job in the province next to Yala when there employer tried to transfer them there. They now work here in Chiang Mai both in the same position they had in (Non Kong Si Thamaraht (sorry about the spelling) They do not have to worry about their children playing outside.

Just out of curiosity what if they all learn to speak English? Will it solve any problems. Will the rubber tree worker be able to do a better job. Will they all be pilots or other positions requiring English. Is there a shortage of people in those positions now? Yes it will give them some of the skills necessary. But using that logic should they not have to learn about how to sap and process ruber in case they get a chance to do it.

I know I am being silly but I really honestly and truly feel there is more of a need for the students to learn logic and reasoning also a better understanding of mathematics. Teach all of them skills they all can use not just 5% to 10% of the people. Make lessons for those people avalable and they will learn much better if they are not hampered by fellow students who don't care. It will also make it easier for the teacher to teach them resulting in their ability to speak and understand English better.

First I would like to say I believe it is a good thing to discuss.

That being said I am sorry that not many cared to discuss it. A lot of talk on the past and not much thought on the future. Just people seeing a repeat over and over again.

I have been here for only 8 years and have seen a definite improvement in Thailand. Not the Government. The only chance the government ever had was when Abhist was in and it was such a diverse minority government that he couldn't really do much. He did manage to stop the rise in corruption for two years and given more years may have been able to turn it around.

The reason I say Thailand is improving is because today it is the grass root people becoming more aware of the corruption the government has perpetrated on them. They are coming forth in opposition to it. They are no longer ignorant of it or accepting the little bit of it they knew about.

People for the most part want to talk about the past and claim that the future is going to be the same. With thinking like that of course they are going to miss the positive changes in Thailand. The expats who post here on Thai Visa for the most part think Suthep created this situation. They are completely clueless. The situation on the anti government side arose with many different groups of grass root people becoming aware of the corruption and standing up to it. The grass roots created Suthep. Suthep did not create the grass roots. Even though the grass roots created Suthep people choose to throw rocks at him rather than the people who created him.

Thailand owes a great deal of thanks to Suthep for keeping it going as long as he has. The people who created him have to work for a living so it is only natural that the people in the streets will decline. That does not mean they no longer support the idea of a more honest government. For the next year to two I see turmoil. I how ever believe it is necessary for Thailand to become a more honest and stronger country. It is possible though and the nay sayers will never be of any use in it happening. They are like the people who sit in a pile of shi t and don't move because it is so warm and comfortable.

In ten years I look for a much better Thailand thanks to the people who have come forward and admitted there is some thing wrong. That was the start of the change.

For those who want to judge the future by the past and ignore today I might suggest they don't have to go back very far. Look at the government under Abhist it was a very dispersed minority government with out the ability to just say do this and every one jump. Yet they were able to stop a very steady rise in corruption and hold it as long as they were in office. It is as to be expected on the rise again with out them in office. They did not have the power or the time necessary to eliminate a lot of it. I am not some brainless fool that thinks they or any body else can eliminate it all.

It will take time I don't rule out 10 years to get there but it will be for the most part an easier ride than the next year or two.

No matter who the next parliament elects to be Prime Minister it will get better. Even the present one now understands that the people are not happy they want there cut of the pie.

For myself I am retired and did not come here to make a living. I came because I enjoyed Thailand and Thai people. The government well that is some thing I can do nothing about except post on Thai Visa and it doesn't really affect my life. Well it does affect the value of my money but I knew that coming over here in the first place.

''The people should decide...'' -Suthep

He says the people should decide, but he blocks elections and instead he will choose the "people's council" for the people.

Hah!

He is seriously afraid that elections will show everyone that the great majority of Thais is AGAINST him.

Just out of curiosity who are you for and why?

BANGKOK: -- PROTEST LEADER SUTHEP SEES VICTORY, SAYS HE DOESN'T WANT A COUP AND THE PEOPLE, NOT HIM, MUST DECIDE FUTURE

"I am pretty sure today that we won't lose the fight - I just don't know how we will win," he said.

I am more concerned with who manages the situation if he does win. Yes I hope he does win. I am of the opinion that Thailand deserves better.

However, he vowed to retreat if there is serious violence.
"If it becomes a civil war, I will give up. People's life is precious for me," he said. "If someone instigates a civil war, I will tell the people to go home."

But will the red shirts stop. Let's face it they are the ones wiith a history of violence.

He revealed that fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra had sent some people to talk, but he refused to elaborate saying he would not negotiate and he could not do so as only the people - not him - could decide.

Although he did not rule out the possibility of a coup, Suthep said he did not want it.
"I want to see a people's revolution, a peaceful one," he said.

As it should be in many countries. Thailand is not alone in having a government for the ones doing it.

Suthep denied close links or support by the military. He said no soldier took part in strategic planning.

I was under the understanding they would not even give him a private meeting.

He said the protesters had lost patience with the "Thaksin regime". They had stopped asking him when the fight would end and insisted on fighting until they win. But no matter if the PDRC wins or loses this battle, Suthep sees it as a victory as the people have gained a sense of political responsibility in their minds. People, including children, are no longer ignorant, he feels.

"The people have realized that they, all together, have to be responsible for the country. That thought has been on their minds already and it will remain on their minds," he said.

Totally agree with him. I am under no misconceptions that it will be a full blown garden of Eden just like that. There will always be people with intentions that benefit only them. It will be a long road but a worthwhile one.

He refused any compromise or negotiation.

Any compromise or negotiation now would just be like saying OK we will not try to set up as honest a government as we can. Yingluck/Thaksin have made it very clear that any changes they would entertain must come after the election that they stand a good chance of winning. All electoral changes before the election would just make the playing field more level. All the money in Thailand would not be enough to buy it.

I don't believe for one minute that this mysterious group of amarat with all the money is behind this movement. If they wanted to buy the election they would be able to brush Thaksin off like as if he was a fly on a rotten piece of fruit. They would never back such a movement as the one Suthep is proposing if it was there intention to run Thailand. They do all rite for them selves all ready and no matter who is in Government they continue to prosper. Mainly through good business sense.m Or they inherited it.

"The people's assembly will exclude politicians. Otherwise, you won't be able to change laws on elections, political parties and corruption," Suthep said, noting that people who take part in the assembly must be banned from politics for five years.

That is a real help to screening out potential members of the council. It will still leave a problem of who is to be on the council and who is to be doing the choosing. I would suggest that some foreigners be on it also. What will be needed is people with open minds as well as a desire to help Thailand out of the current system it is in that allopws the corruption corruption includes people like the red bull heir getting sick and having to go to Hong Kong.

"The standard of Thai politics would be higher. Politicians will no longer dare to do things without caring for the people," he said.
According to the reform plan, anyone will be able to petition a corruption case in court and such cases would have no statute of limitations. Elections must be free and fair, and people want power decentralized and would not accept corrupt policies. The national police would have to be restructured. These were priorities that must be finished within a year or 18 months, he said.

Well I agree that any case of corruption must be allowed to be taken to court. The no time limit would need a starting point. Other wise there would not be enough courts or people qualified to sit on them to hear all the cases going back 50 or so years. I did have to laugh at the national police would have to be restructured line. Wouldn't be much left with out the Shinawatra clan and their for hire flunkies controlling it.

All of the above I agreed on I just deleted a lot that was more filler. I am a strong believer that Thailand deserves better than it has been getting. That includes all past governments even the one a few years ago that managed to stop the corruption rate from rising. Much needs to be changed that has long been ignored. Especially education.

If I am understanding you correctly she wants a new start. Thailand is a big country. Her being in the government suggests she is in Bangkok. Has she considered another place in Thailand. Being a government worker tells me she is more concerned with security than doing a job.

Is she looking for a man to take her to another country where there is a whole new culture? Visa could make that very hard especially in Canada. The States is a little easier. I think it would be best to look for a European. My understanding is they are easier to get into.

Sounds to me like she is to picky. The fact that she can read and write English but not speak it suggests to me that she might try to broaden her circle of acquaintances.

the Pattaya bit is a bit over the top. I have been there several times and not used the services it is famous for.

Not all forangs there are sexpats.

The level of chaos presently seen in Bangkok could have been avoided if the PTP had paid attention to the signal associated with the king and queen moving to Hua Hin at the end of July when the debate regarding amnesty grew more heated. Now the nation is paying for this oversight.

This is true as far as it goes but there is a far more cogent element in play here: the Big Fat 2.2 Trillion Baht Infrastructure Loan AND WHO gets to eat it and WHEN.

If all parties to this monumental graft, patronage and corruption HOG-OUT had been issued their invitations and place cards to the feast, the PTP (yellows) would have had a much weaker platform.

The Thaksinistas chose to act like this was to be a business deal. They'd get the loan and the PTP and the lessor political factions would be left to feed off the crumbs, scraps and partially gnawed bones of the remains.

Thailand is a nation-state, a political entity. It is NOT a commercial enterprise.

A Nation State is more effectively governed by compromise and mutually beneficial compromises that (above all else) keep "peace in the valley".

The astronomical venality and artless finesse of Peua Thai's greedier gobble-hoggs when they took charge of this omnibus amnesty/loan fiasco is what blew this deal.

Even in a winner-take-all situation you always have to leave some cake for the other guy.

Failure to leave him a nice cut UNITES his forces and his resolve.

They failed to finesse.

As is this failure was not enough, Peua Thai threw in the premature amnesty mess. Had IT passed, it would have resulted in a de facto creation of a political class immune to criminal indictment. This was just too much for everyone. Even some Reds !

Politics is about the art of negotiated settlement.

Had they accepted that deal, Peua Thai would have been left PTP nothing but crumbs and begging.

Now we have THIS.

Ad the very real possibility that a World Bank, already wary of the legitimate status of Thailand lermight delay this loan in anticipation of greater stability.

Bankers are rarely in a rush.

And here's why ?

No stability = diminished investment = smaller tax base = fewer wage/tax slaves to pay the interest on the loan

A Nation State is more effectively governed by compromise and mutually beneficial compromises that (above all else) keep "peace in the valley".

The astronomical venality and artless finesse of Peua Thai's greedier gobble-hoggs when they took charge of this omnibus amnesty/loan fiasco is what blew this deal.

When a government reaches the point where they have the servants needed to accomplish what they want to do they cease to even listen to ideas that in any way do not agree 100% with their goals.

Such is the situation we have here in Thailand. The PTP shut down debate as it is a waste of their time they know what they are going tio do and are unwilling to even listen to other points of view. They failed to realize that the citizens might not appreciate this directorial style of ruling and come forth to let them know so.

Any government that maintains the ability to command their members how to vote even if it goes against their conscience is wrong.